National Sculpture Society Awards to Loveland Artists

Medal of Honor and Sculpture House Annual Award for Outstanding Achievement Won by Loveland, Colorado Sculptors

Loveland, Colorado is known for its wonderful sculpture shows, art in public places collection, and for the abundance of talented sculptors who call it home. Now two of their own have won prestigious awards form the National Sculpture Society.

While not their first awards from NSS, the artists were honored last month for their achievements at a ceremony in Philadelphia.

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Sculptor Dan Ostermiller helps load some of his pieces onto a flatbed truck May 15 at his Loveland studio, to be sent to the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Neb. (Jenny Sparks / Loveland Reporter-Herald)

Kent Ullberg and Dan Ostermiller have been fundamental to the art of sculpture in Loveland and around the country.

Ostermiller is receiving the society’s highest award; the Medal of Honor for achievement and encouragement of American Sculpture. And Ullberg is receiving the Sculpture House Annual Award for outstanding achievement as a sculptor.

“This is the highest award they give out for your contribution,” Ostermiller said. That means a lot to me because I’ve tried throughout my career to help other sculptors and just help people.”

Thirty-five of his monumental-size sculptures are now on display at the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Neb., and he said he really likes the garden shows because it brings art to the average person who might not make it into a gallery.

“It’s a very special award for me,” he said. “I know the organization.” Ostermiller has been president of the National Sculpture Society twice and sat on the board over 20 years.

Ullberg has one maybe eight awards from the Sculpture Society but said it “feels incredible to get this one.”

Thanks to Jessica Benes and the Loveland Reporter-Herald for this article and photo. Click here to read it in its entirety